Principal Proposed Uses

Other Proposed Uses

Citrulline is a non-essential amino acid, meaning that the body can manufacture it from other nutrients. Within the body, citrulline is converted to the amino acid
L-arginine
. Some of the proposed uses of citrulline supplements are based on raising levels of arginine. Citrulline also plays a role in a physiological process called “the urea cycle,” in which toxic ammonia is converted to urea.

Requirements/Sources

The body manufactures citrulline from the essential amino acid glutamine. Deficiency of citrulline is unlikely to occur.

Therapeutic Dosages

A typical dose of citrulline is 6–18 grams daily. It is commonly sold in the form of citrulline malate.

Therapeutic Uses

There is little scientific support for any use of citrulline supplements.

Citrulline is most commonly marketed today as a supplement for
enhancing sports performance
. Based on exceedingly speculative reasoning, it is often described as an aerobic complement to the supplement
creatine
. Supposedly, citrulline enhances aerobic exercise capacity (relatively low-intensity exercise), while creatine enhances anaerobic exercise capacity (high-intensity exercise). However, while there have been numerous double-blind studies on creatine, available evidence on citrulline as a sports supplement is so scant that no conclusions whatsoever can be based on it.
1,2
The only meaningful study reported thus far found that citrulline
reduced
rather than enhanced exercise capacity.
4
Current enthusiasm for the supplement is therefore based entirely on testimonials. Since
placebos
increase sense of energy and well-being, and may even enhance performance, enthusiastic testimonials about a new and exciting supplement should be received with considerable caution.

Other proposed uses of citrulline are based on the fact that the body converts citrulline to the amino acid
arginine
. It is claimed by some that citrulline supplements are actually more effective at raising arginine levels than arginine supplements. However, this has not been established in any scientific sense. Furthermore, arginine itself is not a proven treatment for any condition. For example, citrulline is marketed as a treatment for
impotence
based on the assumption that arginine is effective for impotence. However, current evidence supporting arginine as an impotence treatment is weak at best, and citrulline itself has not been studied for this use in any meaningful way. Again, numerous testimonials are offered, but they mean little: placebos are very effective for impotence.

Very preliminary studies conducted in France in the late 1970s hint that citrulline may improve mental function in people with
Alzheimer’s disease
and also reduce general
fatigue
.
3
However, these studies were not conducted at the level of modern scientific standards, and have not been followed up.

Safety Issues

As a naturally occurring amino acid, citrulline is believed to be safe. However, maximum safe doses in young children, pregnant or nursing women, or people with severe liver or kidney disease have not been established.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.